This membrane allows blank to pass through, but not soluble particles or molecules?

answer:

the water molecules are transferred from the roots to the stem or top parts of the tall tree because of important properties of water which are adhesion, cohesion and capillary action. cohesion is the property of water molecules keeps water molecules in a combined state by sharing of bonds between them at the atomic level. adhesion allows the interaction of water molecules with other substances or substrate. adhesion will cause the attachment of water molecules to the wall of the vessel (xylem) of the plant. capillary action occurs when the adhesive force to the vessel wall is stronger than the cohesive force between water molecules. capillary action mimics the transfer of water from a tube or pipe. in this way water utilizes its property to transfer water from down to top level of the plant.  

c. earths continental crust is thicker than its lithosphere.

because, the lithosphere is the outermost layer of the earth/ 100 km thick and is defined by its machanical properties.the lithosphere contains oceanic and continental crust that varies in age and thickness across locations and geologic time. the lithosphere is the coolest layer of the earth in terms of temperature. the term lithosphere should not be confused with the use of "geosphere" which is used to indicate all of earth systems, including the atmosphere, hydrosphere   and biosphere. the surface of the earth can be divided into the continental crust and the oceanic crust.   the continental crust is made mostly of granite while the oceanic crust is made of basalt. the average thickness of the continental crust is 25 miles and the average thickness of the oceanic crust is 5 miles.   three types of rock, igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic, make up the surface of the earth. that's why 3 option is preferable.